UEFA President Michel Platini has announced his intentions to run for the FIFA presidency in next February's election. As reported by The Guardian, Platini held talks with football powerbrokers during the 2018 World Cup draw last weekend, and is now confident he has the support to win.

"This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future," Platini said in a statement. "I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me. There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands. I am at one of those decisive moments, at a juncture in my life and in events that are shaping the future of FIFA."

The Guardian also notes that the UEFA president has written to all 209 member associations of FIFA to inform them of his intentions to run for presidency.

The FIFA presidential elections are slated for Feb. 26 in Zurich. The Guardian points out that the 60-year-oldo Platini has the backing of four of the six FIFA confederations, including the vital Asia bloc.

He's developed the financial revenue streams for football and has led the way, led from the top," Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan told BBC.

"He's allowed every national association to have a voice. He consults and engages with chief executives and presidents"”that's been a breath of fresh air. He listens and he's very innovative and creative."

"I have brought Europe together on a unifying path," Platini wrote. "I gave all the national associations - big and small - the place they deserved. Now, I aspire to do the same at the world level, to offer all national associations a common cause," the three-time Ballon d'Or winner added.